Is the word "Creativity" biased toward art?

When I have asked students if they were creative, they often reflect on their artistic experiences. When I asked them if they are "original thinkers" they tell me about their thinking in many different subject areas. Do you find that using the word "creativity" has an art bias?

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Creativity is defined as the tendency to generate or recognize ideas, alternatives, or possibilities that may be useful in solving problems, communicating with others, and entertaining ourselves and others.

Creativity is self expression. One's self can be expressed through any medium of art, through cooking, in the raising a child, etc. The more one gets in touch with deep feeling, the more passionate and unique self expression can be. Self respect generates creativity. This is what I have learned from my students.

I think that creativity has definitely become a buzzword that is overused. Creativity in my opinion is just stepping outside the trivial box of standards. I like to tell my students that they are creative when they challenge themselves and others. When designing anything, there is always an easy, textbook, solution in most cases. Push the envelope, make the client think, because then when they see the big picture and get it, you know you've reached them.

Creativity in my opinion is the joy of life. We need structure-math, science-when something new & meaningful coincides THAT is where creativity is born. Creativity can be a philsophy, a way of thinking, a new idea, a dance, the way you dance, creativity is an exploration of ourselves and our world. If you would like to share your creativity, give enthusiasm & encouragement to others who post their 'stuff' please join our FB group:

CREATIVE CLUB is a forum where creativity is celebrated. All forms of creativity are welcomed, philosophy,
thinking, writing, music, art, dance, ....bring it! Showcase your
projects, ideas in the making, art, while encouraging one another. This
is a place to connect, support and make OUTRAGEOUS requests. Expect
miracles and invite your friends.

The word creativity is so overused that it almost has become meaningless. In the context of learning, I prefer to say, creative thinking, creative design, creative science, or creative writing to make it clear what I'm referring to in the discussion. Students at art schools definitely think of their fields as having the monopoly on the word creativity. What is interesting is that where I am (at a Technical Institute that teaches architecture, engineering, interior and product design) the non-design students definitely refer to the designers as the creatives.

I like to distinguish between being "imaginative" and "creative" as the former being less active in production, and the latter being more specifically tied to creating something. When I refer to someone who is productive, has advanced skills, and is imaginative, I call that person a "genuine creative". Someone who is so accomplished in a creative field, to a degree that their work has influenced the world, is called a major or master creative. Everything from the visual arts, to dance, theater, writing, design, photography, music, and allied arts is considered a creative field.

This is not to say that mathematicians, physicists or biologists, for example aren't capable of exhibiting creativity within their fields (the best it seems do use a lot of creative thinking to solve problems and discover things) but I don't use the word creativity alone to describe them. Being an original thinker in science and math is being creative, but the work that scientists do extends way beyond mere creativity, so I actually think it would be a slight to call a person who invents a life saving device, or a new gene therapy a "creative".

Creativity is not exclusive to the arts but it does seem to be the first adjective people jump to when describing the arts. Creativity plays such important role in the arts that there is a logical association between the two terms and so when asked about one term the other term pops up in immediate reaction.

Speaking from my own educational experiences he concept of creativity was unfortunately most often taught only in art or art related environments. I can't remember any math or history teacher expecting a creative solution, it was always a right or wrong answer and there was always one way to get to that answer (1+1=2).

So I am not surprised that when a person is asked about creativity their mind jumps to the arts and I think it is part of our jobs as instructors to show that creativity is not exclusive to subjects like writing, visual communication, etc. but is in fact omnipresent.

I have personally banned the word "creative" in my vocabulary. It is so worn out with misuse in the arts and not used nearly enough in science and mathematics. For me, the word has lost all meaning and has left a hole in people's brains because the minute it is used everyone stops being specific.

I agree to a certain extent with your question, but I think that a lot of the digital media and entrepreneurship that's going on right now is helping redefine what it means to be creative. Coding can also be a creative act. And starting a business is creative, but it doesn't have the art or design-centric focus.

I think it can be biased or even cliche'. I think creativity involves an aspect of research, because even the best creative thinkers had people who influenced them. I think too, open thinking involves a unique approach or perception and not just puffed up thoughts of grandeur.

I certainly do find that in general the word 'creative' or 'creativity' has an art bias. This narrows and confuses its meaning. For example, the mathematician, if not using a creative approach would be unable break into new ground, old theory needs to be challenged with previously untried theories.

Creative thinking has equal importance in the sciences and the arts. As do the need for rules, discipline, structure and logic apply across sciences and arts. The crux of ingenuity, discovery, problem solving and being at the vanguard of change is in creativity - whatever the field or discipline.

In Week 4 of the T4T material, there is an interview with Sir Ken Robinson and he also agrees that "creative" has an art overtone. He feels that a person can be creative in all areas of life, but the word is limiting. More evidence that we need to offer many terms to others to connect with the act of making things/thinking about things differently.

I agree too...as the study Creativity and Education: Why it Matters
suggests. Creative thinking can apply to so many aspects of life, and as the study suggests, it can apply to many educational subjects. I think creative thinking can change perceptions, and enhance understanding. It can even change the way a person thinks, and interacts with others.